Beginners Luck Mosin

[ttocswob]

Still waiting on my C&R - but I found this from a private seller:

I'm out $60 - there is significant rust, and bore is corroded.

But wait...there's more!

Turns out it's apparently a Finnish Bohler-Stahl M24, and relatively rare, according to 7.62x54r.net. And, after a lot of cleaning rod action, the bore is still pitted, but has rifling, and looks shootable.

Can't wait to chamber a round and pull the bang switch

Whatcha think?

(P.S. this is not an ad)

[Rightwinger]

Gotta love the Mosin!

Let us know how she shoots. Shouldn't matter on the rifling, its the shock wave that kills anything down range anyway:D

[Guest Spuds]

Is the barrel stepped, or unstepped?

The M24 was the first civil guard rifle IIRC. Most folks think they're M91s with a fancy S on the barrel shank.

[Garufa]

Is the barrel stepped, or unstepped?

Is that the same as Counter-bored?

[Rightwinger]

Those stocks will clean up really nice too!

I stripped one down to the wood last summer and then stained it. Came out looking very nice (to me) as opposed to the "orange" looking varnish that was on it originally. I have two M91's from 1942. The arsenal stamps came out very clear in the wood (note the triangle for Izhevsk arsenal)

[Guest gcrookston]

Those stocks will clean up really nice too!

I stripped one down to the wood last summer and then stained it. Came out looking very nice (to me) as opposed to the "orange" looking varnish that was on it originally. I have two M91's from 1942. The arsenal stamps came out very clear in the wood (note the triangle for Izhevsk arsenal)

there is a stock in that picture? I missed it

[TripleDigitRide]

Those stocks will clean up really nice too!

I stripped one down to the wood last summer and then stained it. Came out looking very nice (to me) as opposed to the "orange" looking varnish that was on it originally. I have two M91's from 1942. The arsenal stamps came out very clear in the wood (note the triangle for Izhevsk arsenal)

Nope, Harvey Milk didn't rub off on me that much. Why must you do that to me? Again?

[Fadex]

Dang...beat me to it gcrookston

[Rightwinger]

Mrs. Winger is sleeping soundly next to me but I'm sure she appreciates still being able to distract the fellas. I will tell her tomorrow that she holds a nice stock and then duck and run.

[Guest gcrookston]

Winger, kidding aside, would you post a pic of the finished product? I've a Mosin I've been tempted to redo...

[Mike.357]

Those stocks will clean up really nice too!

I stripped one down to the wood last summer and then stained it. Came out looking very nice (to me) as opposed to the "orange" looking varnish that was on it originally. I have two M91's from 1942. The arsenal stamps came out very clear in the wood (note the triangle for Izhevsk arsenal)

Nice guns, err..... nice gun yeah!!

[strickj]

Winger, kidding aside, would you post a pic of the finished product? I've a Mosin I've been tempted to redo...

Yeah,and could you have her hold it

[ttocswob]

I've been HIJACKED!!!

Kidding aside, it (rifle that is) is a stepped barrel, counter-bored, Finnish front blade sight w/ notch, flat tip cleaning rod, dog collar sling attachment, but no sling or other accessories. The "fir tree S" logo is the type shown on the German Bohler-Stahl barrel. It has the "S" no. on the left side of receiver, struck out, and another illegible no. above. The Finnish serial no's match. No "D" or "SA" markings visible, but may be covered in rust.

I'm going to strip and clean (which should also give a positive ID on the barrel) There are a few recent scrapes on the stock. I plan to rub down w/ boiled linseed oil, and work some of the excess old crud into these scrapes. I'm also going to carefully remove as much of the surface rust as possible. I don't know if the original Russian markings are there or scrubbed, as the receiver is pretty rusty.

Stepped barrel pic, about halfway down the page. The M24 barrel was larger outside diameter, w/ the muzzle end reduced to accept a bayonet.

[Guest Spuds]

I'm going to strip and clean (which should also give a positive ID on the barrel) There are a few recent scrapes on the stock. I plan to rub down w/ boiled linseed oil, and work some of the excess old crud into these scrapes. I'm also going to carefully remove as much of the surface rust as possible. I don't know if the original Russian markings are there or scrubbed, as the receiver is pretty rusty.

Stepped barrel pic, about halfway down the page. The M24 barrel was larger outside diameter, w/ the muzzle end reduced to accept a bayonet.

So you're going to take a rifle that is valuable to a collector and make it worth less? Sorry for the bluntness, but when you put that coat of BLO on, you've decreased it's worth. I know you've chosen your words carefully and sense you have the notion that it's best not to mess with these, but I don't think you're 100% convinced, elsewise you'd post that you were leaving it alone.

[Guest gcrookston]

So you're going to take a rifle that is valuable to a collector and make it worth less? Sorry for the bluntness, but when you put that coat of BLO on, you've decreased it's worth. I know you've chosen your words carefully and sense you have the notion that it's best not to mess with these, but I don't think you're 100% convinced, elsewise you'd post that you were leaving it alone.

I myself don't agree with the practice of "restoration" (wish I had a dollar for every fubar Mauser and Springfield I've held), but what is done is done and I'm lookin forward to seeing the end results.

[ttocswob]

So you're going to take a rifle that is valuable to a collector and make it worth less? Sorry for the bluntness, but when you put that coat of BLO on, you've decreased it's worth. I know you've chosen your words carefully and sense you have the notion that it's best not to mess with these, but I don't think you're 100% convinced, elsewise you'd post that you were leaving it alone.

Thanx, that's why I asked for, and value, other opinions.

The gun in its present condition is deteriorating. I intend to do only enough to stop the rust, preserve the stock, and make the gun shootable. I'm certainly not stripping the original oil/pine tar/whoknowswhatelse?! Perhaps adding any BLO is too much, but is traditional for guns of this era. How about just enough to seal the "modern" scrapes? Any other ideas?

[Guest Spuds]

Thanx, that's why I asked for, and value, other opinions.

The gun in its present condition is deteriorating. I intend to do only enough to stop the rust, preserve the stock, and make the gun shootable. I'm certainly not stripping the original oil/pine tar/whoknowswhatelse?! Perhaps adding any BLO is too much, but is traditional for guns of this era. How about just enough to seal the "modern" scrapes? Any other ideas?

I appreciate your open attitude. I'd suggest you peruse a few threads here:

http://7.62x54r.net/forums/ I know you're familiar with the website as you linked it earlier, but forums were added a few months ago and quite a bit of discussion has taken place about restoration.

The Finns did not use BLO, at least never used only BLO on their stocks. You are correct in that others did during that age, but it wouldn't be correct for a Finnish stock.

Rust doesn't belong on a rifle. I wholeheartedly agree it needs to be removed, but how it is removed is important. I hope no bluing is involved, that would be tragic.

[Guest Spuds]

Here is one of my M24 rifles, I think it's the one in roughest shape. I haven't done a thing to it, though some would argue it could be "improved."

http://imageevent.com/cccpguns/m24lotta

[ttocswob]

Remarkably similar to mine, and probably kin - serial # 25321 - although I only wish mine looked that good.

I spent my lunch hour cleaning - removed mag and butt plate, but cannot remove barrrel bands - the small wood screws are in tight - so barrel and handguard to remain in place for now. I removed as much rust as possible w/ rem oil & a soft cloth - bluing is probably 30-40% or less. Also rubbed down the stock w/ a cloth, no additives.

I'll try to take more pics, probably early next week - it's hiding out in my locker at work, what momma don't know won't hurt her!

Thanx again for your help.

[Rightwinger]

She knows about the thread! She also has a 442 and knows how to use it so........

Here it was later in the day. It was dry enough to move to a drying area but I didn't reinstall anything for a day to let it set in good.

Here it is with it's safe mate. These are Sveltna and Tova. And I AM the collector so I didn't mind a bit if it's not Russki original. I'm actually looking for a 3rd Ivshek model so I can pass one down to each son.

Sveltna, the top one, is still as I got it and will remain that way as she looks good just the way she is.

[ttocswob]

More pix as promised:

M24 "fir tree S" logo - rust is evident, although rem oil and an old T-shirt removed a surprising amount of it.

sight; stepped barrel; dog collar sling att.

The left sight pin is missing. The Izhevsk bow & arrow can be seen on the barrel band, and is present in various places on the rifle.

All in all, a pretty good find for my first Mosin. And did I say, it shoots pretty good, too! The bore is looking better than I expected.